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Draft Budget 2005-06

TRANSPORT

To promote economic growth, social inclusion and health and protection of our environment through a safe, integrated, effective and efficient transport system.

OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS

Spending Plans 2002-08

Table 8.01 Categories of spending (Level 2)

1. The figures for 2005-06 include savings relating to Track Access Charges. Figures in 2006-07 and 2007-08 reflect the basic subsidy payable for the ScotRail franchise following the tendering exercise.
2. All figures are notional pending the outcome of tendering exercises.
3. The spending plans for Air Services in Scotland and Other public transport have been adjusted since the issue of the recently published Building a Better Scotland, to allow for a transfer from Other public transport to Air Services in Scotland (2004-05 to 2007-08 2.4 m / 0.9 m / 0.9 m / 0.9 m).
4. Transport portfolio spending plans for Concessionary Fares do not include funds allocated to Local Authorities from GAE.
5. The Roads' Cost of Capital Charge is levied at 3.5% of the average of the opening and closing net book value of the Roads' network for the year. This charge has risen by 8.7% and 8.9% in 2002-03 and 2003-04 respectively. Bearing in mind Ministerial commitments to additional construction and maintenance on the road network during the Spending Review period it would seem prudent to allow for a 9% yearly increase in the Roads' Cost of Capital charge using the 2003-04 actual outturn as the baseline.

Table 8.01a Split between DEL and AME for Motorways and Trunk Roads

1. The AME figure in 2002-03 includes Motorways and Trunk Roads depreciation (45m) and cost of capital.
The later years only include Motorways and Trunk Roads cost of capital.

Table 8.02 Categories of spending (Level 2 real terms)at 2004-05 prices

What we will do

Our ambitions for Scotland depend on excellent transport services and excellent transport infrastructure which get goods to market, get people to jobs and services and link up communities.

In this Budget we will substantially increase our investment in transport infrastructure through an ambitious programme of rail infrastructure enhancement, and through undertaking targeted improvements to the trunk road network. We are also investing in improved public transport (buses, rail, ferries, trams and park and ride). The vast majority of our spending - 70% over the period of our investment plan - will be on sustainable forms of travel. Furthermore, we will invest in better facilities for freight; in greater use of our sea routes and canals; and in new direct air routes from and to Scotland.

We will transform transport delivery in Scotland by setting up Regional Transport Partnerships and a national transport agency. They will be charged with making our aspirations for transport - and the aspirations of the people and businesses of Scotland - a reality.

New Resources

Between 2005-06 and 2007-08 the Transport DEL Budget will rise from over 1bn to almost 1.4bn. Over the period of our investment plan, seventy per cent of our budget will be spent on public transport, to fight congestion and to promote more sustainable transport.

This budget provides substantial additional resources for the transport 10 year investment plan to deliver the key major transport projects set out in the Transport White Paper Scotland's Transport Future (published on 16 June 2004).

Statement of priorities

In 2005-06 we will focus our resources on:

• Investing in our key rail and road infrastructure projects, with a commitment to spend around 3bn on transport capital infrastructure projects over that period;
• Investing in public transport service improvements by, for example, promoting integrated ticketing; delivering a better deal for rail passengers in the new franchise; introducing a new bus route development fund;
• Extending the benefits of concessionary travel by introducing new national schemes for older and disabled people and for younger people; and
• Delivering our Partnership agreement commitment to create a new transport agency for Scotland and a network of regional transport partnerships.

Growing the Economy

The Transport Portfolio significantly contributes to growing the Scottish economy by the planned new transport links to get goods to market and people to work.

The most important challenge for encouraging economic growth in Scotland is to improve our transport infrastructure. This budget allows us to take significant steps in the delivery of the transport 10 year plan.

This budget also allows us to invest in our public transport, in our road networks and in our air and sea connections. There are real improvements that can be made to encourage and sustain economic growth, to reduce the time to market for our businesses; to improve the accessibility of our communities; to integrate bus, rail and ferry timetables; and to deliver transport services that are reliable, safe and effective.

Closing the Opportunity Gap/Promoting Equality

Transport closes the opportunity gap by linking up communities and linking people to jobs and services. We are working towards providing wider access to good public transport services to ensure that the significant proportion of the Scottish population for which public transport is the main or sole mode of transport are not excluded from jobs or services.

Many components of the transport programme are geared towards providing services which enable rural, island and remote communities to thrive. We will continue to close the opportunity gap with the continued support of Rural Transport Measures which helps to deliver new transport projects where there is strong dependence on the services provided and also helps local authorities ensure vital public transport services are available across rural Scotland.

The introduction of the new national concessionary schemes for older and disabled people and for younger people will contribute to promoting equality within Scotland. A lack of income will no longer be an obstacle to access to the public transport services most people take as a given.

The Transport Portfolio will contribute to closing the opportunity gap and promoting equality within Scotland from the following transport programmes:

• Increased funding in 2006-07 and 2007-08 of 96m/100m to introduce a new national concessionary fares scheme, one for older and disabled people and the other for young people;
• Continued funding for the Rural Transport Measures of 8.7m/8.9m/9.1m for the years 2005-06 to 2007-08 inclusive.

Sustainable Development

We are continuing in this Draft Budget to devote considerable additional resources for investment in public transport and other forms of efficient and sustainable transport which minimise emissions and consumption of resources and energy.

Over the period of the long-term investment plan, we are radically refocusing out transport expenditure, with the funding devoted to public transport rising from 627 million in 2004-05 to 1,024 million by 2007-08. We are committed to directing 70% of our transport spending to public transport over the period of our ten year investment plan.

We will also transfer a further 2 million lorry miles per year from road to rail or water between 1 April 2005 and 31 March 2008.

All transport spending proposals are rigorously assessed for their impacts on economy, accessibility and social inclusion, environment, safety and integration, in line with the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance.

RAIL SERVICES IN SCOTLAND

Spending Plans 2002-08

Table 8.03 More detailed categories of spending (Level 3)

1. The figures for 2005-06 include savings relating to Track Access Charges. Figures in 2006-07 and 2007-08 reflect the basic subsidy payable for the ScotRail franchise following the tendering exercise. The exact split of funding for the ScotRail Franchise, between payments made via the Strategic Rail Authority and the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority will be negotiated within one month of the new franchise date of 17 ^th October 2004.

What we will do

We are committed to providing monthly, through the Strategic Rail Authority and Strathclyde Passenger Transport, the amount of funding required by the operator to run Scotland's passenger railway for the duration of the franchise.

• Securing agreement on a financial transfer to enable Scottish Ministers to assume new rail powers and take on additional responsibilities over railways in Scotland;
• Responding to any issues associated with the implementation of the new ScotRail franchise; and
• Developing future rail projects, as identified as Ministerial priorities.

Statement of priorities

In 2005-06 we will focus our resources on using the new ScotRail franchise agreement to improve on the current service level and quality by tackling overcrowding, improving punctuality and reliability and improving the passenger experience through better train facilities, cleanliness and customer service.

Performance

No applicable targets, these works would support the achievement of targets related to the Scottish Passenger Rail Franchise.

The cost of the franchise is impacted on by the level of fixed Track Access Charges (TACs), which are set by the Office of Rail Regulation. The outcome of the Regulator's recent review of TACs has meant that the projected funding in the early years of the franchise has been reduced substantially. From 2006-07 and beyond the TACs will rise again and the level of subsidy will increase.

FERRY SERVICES IN SCOTLAND

Spending Plans 2002-08

Table 8.04 More detailed categories of spending (Level 3)

1. The figure for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services is notional pending the outcome of the tendering exercise.
2. The figure for Northern Isles Ferry Services is notional pending the outcome of the tendering exercise. The budgetary requirement for 2004-05 will now be more than the figure shown and a budget revision will be proposed at the appropriate time.
3. This has changed from the AER for 2005-06 and the 2004-05 figure now reflects the correct allocation to this budget line.
4. Independent Piers and Harbours Grant and CalMac Piers and Harbours Grant have previously been published as two separate lines, these have been grouped together in the above table.
5. The Capital Charges and Cost of Capital Charges is the result of the introduction of Resource Accounting, following a clarification of HM Treasury rules.

What we will do

The budget currently provides deficit funding to allow Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd to operate a network of 27 lifeline ferry routes serving islands and remote mainland communities on the Clyde and off the West of Scotland, with service standards and fares set at levels that would not be possible without subsidy thus assisting island and remote mainland communities which would otherwise suffer social and economic disadvantage. The budget is also the source of loans to allow the company to invest in new vessels. During the Spending Review period we expect that a new contract for the services will be placed following a competitive tendering exercise.

This budget subsidises the lifeline ferry services between the Scottish mainland and the Northern Isles. It also subsidises the transport of livestock from the Northern Isles.

This budget meets the costs of consultancy support required to take forward the tendering and implementation of the various ferry contracts placed by the Scottish Executive.

The Scottish Executive led a tendering exercise in 2002-2003 to attract a ferry operator to provide a service between Campbeltown in Kintyre and Ballycastle in Northern Ireland. This failed to identify an operator willing to run the service in return for the subsidy on offer, but provision is retained should that position change.

The budget helps to support the development of piers and harbours in the Highlands and Islands owned by independent harbour authorities or Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. Grant is normally available at up to 75% of eligible capital costs, and helps to make sure that shore side infrastructure supports lifeline ferry services to island and remote rural communities.

Statement of priorities

In 2005-06 we will focus our resources on:

Clyde and Hebride

• Ensuring that the existing Clyde and Hebrides services are delivered in line with prescribed quality, frequency, capacity and fares levels;
• Meeting the set up and running costs of the vessel owning company that will be formed as part of the tendering proposals; and
• Supporting a vessel investment programme.

Northern Isles

• Maintaining the provision of services for the remaining duration of the current Northern Isles contract which is being terminated early; and
• Securing continued, longer-term delivery of the services by placing a new contract to be implemented during 2005-06 and ensuring a smooth handover to a new operator, if necessary.

Other

• Support for the tendering of the contracts for the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles Ferry Services;
• Support further efforts to promote a ferry service between Campbeltown and Ballycastle; and
• Support piers and harbours projects at a range of locations, likely to include Canna, Brodick, Largs and Oban. Other projects may also be supported.

Performance

Carryings, revenue and operating costs over the past 3 years:

Unlike the funding to CalMac for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services, the Executive's funding for the Northern Isles Ferry Services does not include any subsidy for Commercial Vehicles and so no figures are shown for this category.

BUS SERVICES IN SCOTLAND

Spending Plans 2002-08

Table 8.05 More detailed categories of spending (Level 3)

1.
For 2004-05 the budget for the Bus Route Development Fund was included within the Integrated Transport Fund, total budget 2.5m.

What we will do

This budget provides support to the bus industry across Scotland by contributing to keep fares down for bus users and also reduces the cost to local authorities of supporting socially necessary services, which would not be provided on a commercial basis.

Funding will support the initial round of the Bus Route Development to go ahead providing support to a number of route development projects throughout Scotland.

Statement of priorities

In 2005-06 we will focus our resources on:

• Supporting the Bus industry in Scotland by payment of Bus Service Operators Grant (formerly Bus Fuel Duty Rebate) to promote the use of public transport by offsetting the impact of duty levied on diesel fuel in the operation of local bus services;
• Providing bus users in Scotland with a voice in improving bus services through the Bus User Complaints Tribunal which provides a statutory appeals procedure in the event that a bus operator does not satisfactorily resolve a complaint; and
• Bus Route Development aims to support proposals for new or existing bus routes where this is potential for accelerated growth.

Performance

The Bus Service Operators Grant has assisted in the growth in bus passenger numbers in Scotland from 413m in 1998-99 to 445m in 2002-03 (7.7%). Our aim is to sustain that increase by 1% a year during the period 2005-06 to 2007-08.

The Bus User Complaints Tribunal has since its inception in 2003 received 129 complaints in total of which 90 were relevant. Of these the Tribunal has determined 31 and has assisted in the resolution of 39 complaints prior to determination by the Tribunal.

CONCESSIONARY FARES

Spending Plans 2002-08

Table 8.06 More detailed categories of spending (Level 3)

:
1. Transport portfolio spending plans for Concessionary Fares do not include funds allocated to local authorities from GAE.

What we will do

Over the Spending review period we will focus our resources on delivering concessionary travel for older and disable people and for young people.

As part of the Scottish Citizen's Account modernising Government project, funding will provide for bus infrastructure systems in support of the Transport Smart Card application.

The Transport Smart Card application will provide electronic access for older and disabled people to concessionary travel. It will also provide a significant improvement in the validation of concessionary claims from bus operators.

Statement of priorities

In 2005-06 we will focus our resources on:

• maintaining the existing concessionary fares schemes;
• preparing for the introduction of the new national concessionary fare schemes one for older and disabled and the other for young people; and
• supporting the introduction of a Transport Smart Card for concessionary travellers by contributing towards the cost of on-bus infrastructure and back office systems.

Performance

Free local off-peak concessionary bus travel was introduced on 30 September 2002 for pensioners and old and disabled people benefiting over 1 million people. From 1 April 2003 the age of entitlement for travel concessions was equalised at age 60 for both men and women - adding an additional 125,000 men to the scheme. In the first full year of the scheme (October 2002 to September 2003) more than 130 million passenger journeys were made - an increase of about 30% over the previous year.

AIR SERVICES IN SCOTLAND

Spending Plans 2002-08

Table 8.07 More detailed categories of spending (Level 3)

1. For 2004-05 the budget for Other Air Services was included within the Integrated Transport Fund, total budget 2.4 m.
2. The Capital Charges are as a result of the introduction of Resource Accounting, following a clarification of HM Treasury rules.
3. Air Services Level 2 spending has changed since BABS2 document has been published to reflect the increased funding on Air route Development Funding

What we will do

Operate 10 airports in the Highlands and Islands (Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick) in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible manner in support of the economic and social development of remote and island communities. It will continue to support the development of Inverness Airport Business Park as a focus for the development of businesses - such as air freight - for which air transport is a key locator factor. 24 hour opening at Inverness Airport might also be possible by 2008. Airport charges will also be kept at a level which recognises the importance of lifeline air services to remote and island communities.

The additional resources available from 2005-06 and future years, will expand the funding support for Air Route Development Fund and encourage more international business travel and in-bound tourism to Scotland.

Statement of priorities

The priority will be to maintain and develop operations and infrastructure which is safe while seeking to minimise running costs.

In 2005-06 we will focus our resources on:

• maintaining lifeline air services to Barra, Tiree and Campbeltown by means of Public Service obligations; and
• developing direct business links and stimulate in-bound tourism at airports where no current service is in operation. Services must be of a minimum frequency (e.g. 5 flights a week), operate year-round and should increase network coverage and traffic throughput at the airport concerned.

Performance

The accessibility of air services to people in remote and island communities served by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd. will be increased with growth in sustainable routes of 1.5% each year between 2005-06 and 2007-08.

The Barra, Tiree and Campbeltown service has been maintained to a high level of performance by the current operator.

Nine new air routes are currently in operation (as at September 2004) and a further six additional routes will commence between October 2004 and March 2005.

OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Spending Plans 2002-08

Table 8.08 More detailed categories of spending (Level 3)

1. The Road Safety budget previously included funding for publicity campaigns by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign. The funding for advertising will now come from within the central advertising budget.
2. For the period 2002-03 to 2004-05 the budget for Cycling and Walking was held within the Integrated Transport Fund budget line.
3. Previously the funding for British Waterways was held within its own Level 2 budget line, this has now been transferred to be included within Other Public Transport Level 2.
4. The Spending Plan figures for Other Public Transport, in the recently published Building a Better Scotland, have been adjusted to reflect an increase in the level of funding to Air Services in Scotland of 2004-05 to 2007-08 which have been taken from Other Public Transport of 2.4 m/0.9 m/ 0.9 m / 0.9 m.

What we will do

The Integrated Transport Fund will continue to provide resources to support local public transport priorities. Funding is also provided to proceed with the delivery of the major rail public transport project, in line with Partnership Agreement commitments.

The Transport Agency Development Fund budget will allow us to establish a National Transport Agency during 2005-06 as an organisation with a strong delivery focus and the national centre of excellence for transport in Scotland The Agency's overall objective will be to plan, develop and deliver an integrated and sustainable transport network in Scotland. It will be responsible for delivering the Executive's National Transport Strategy, from which its corporate priorities will be drawn.

As a result of the recent rail review various associated work surrounding the transfer of rail powers, such as advice on new financing structures for the rail industry. This links directly to the Partnership Agreement high-level commitment to maximise opportunities for increasing capacity and services in Scotland, specifically the implementation and development of the new ScotRail franchise.

The Road Safety budget supports our objective to improve safety of journeys by reducing accidents and enhancing the personal safety of pedestrians, drivers, passengers and staff. The budget provides funds to the Scottish Road Safety Campaign to develop road safety education resources and publicity campaigns. It also funds the Children's Traffic Club in Scotland which offers free road safety training for all 3 and 4 year old children in Scotland. In addition it funds pilot child pedestrian training schemes to teach children aged 5 to 7 practical road safety skills.

We will invest in high quality travel information through Transport Direct and Traveline and support easy to use through-ticketing schemes including time limited tickets.

The Rural Transport budget will enable us to improve access for our rural communities by expanding the Rural Community Transport initiative. We will develop innovative qualifying criteria for the fund to allow us to support identified needs and demand-responsive transport (DRT) initiatives.

The Cycling and Walking and Safer Routes to school budget supports our objective to protect our environment and improve health by building and investing in public transport and other types of efficient and sustainable transport which minimises emissions and consumption of resources and energy. This budget also supports the funding of School Travel Coordinators to promote the health and environmental benefits of active travel choices and spread best practice amongst schools. Core funding for Cycling Scotland will be provided to promote cycling as a healthy, sustainable and environmentally friendly mode of travel.

The Mobility budget supports our commitment to improve accessibility of disabled people to transport. It provides a grant to the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) for their running costs and administration. This is a Non Departmental Public Body set up to advise Scottish Ministers on transport matters concerning disabled people. It also funds a grant towards the running of the Scottish Driving Assessment Service. This service advises GPs and helps disabled people to start or resume driving. We will produce new guidance for the Blue Badge Scheme following changes to criteria and following the success of the first Scottish Mobility Roadshow run by Mobility Choice in July 2004, we will pay a grant of 50,000 per year towards the next three shows.

As set out in "Scotland's Canals: An Asset for the Future" the British Waterways' budget will allow the Executive to continue its role as Government sponsor of British Waterways in Scotland (BWS) with growing levels of investment to promote usage of our previously neglected canals. The canal infrastructure will be maintained in a safe state and we will expect BWS to invest in measures which will boost visitor/user numbers by increasing the number of moorings and canal side facilities. Added priorities, given the increased level of planned investment, for years 2006-07 and 2007-08 will be to tackle the maintenance arrears work to avoid the infrastructure concerned becoming a safety risk in the longer term (spend to save).

As part of the Partnership Agreement commitment to take more freight off our roads we will award Track Access Grants to offset the cost of rail track charges for freight operators and Freight Facilities Grant to encourage the modal shift of freight flows from road to rail and water.

The Road Haulage Modernisation Fund budget will be used to help modernise and increase the efficiency of the road haulage industry through the introduction of training schemes. Schemes will also help to reduce lorry emissions, save fuel, tackle the driver shortage and improve driver safety standards.

The Strategic Project Review budget will provide resources to identify the funding requirements for the strategic projects that will be required following completion of the current major investment programme. We will prepare the strategy for undertaking this significant review and consider the need and level of specialist advice that will be required to be undertake the detailed technical analysis.

The Regulation of Utility Roadworks budget will provide resources to:

• facilitate the initial staffing and administration costs for setting up the office of the Scottish Roadworks Commissioner. (The Commissioner will promote good practice, compliance and monitor the performance of statutory undertakers);
• improve existing software for the Scottish Raodworks Register to enable it to meet new legislative requirements;
• provide formal training on the improved Scottish Roadworks Register in the form of regional seminars to explain the new functionality of the Scottish Roadworks Register to operators; and
• meet the ongoing staffing and administration costs of the office of the Scottish Roadworks Commissioner.

Statement of priorities

In 2005-06 we will focus the Integrated Transport Fund resources on:

• completing our commitments from the Public Transport Fund and providing for continuing local and regional public transport priorities;
• Waverley Station redevelopment;
• progressing work on Glasgow and Edinburgh airport rail links;
• completing construction of the Larkhall- Milngavie rail link;
• re-opening the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail line;
• progressing work on the Airdrie-Bathgate rail line; and
• progressing work on the Borders rail line.

In 2005-06 priorities across the remainder of the resources within Other Public Transport are:

• road safety - development of resources and campaigns by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign about major contributory factors in road accidents such as speeding, drink and drug driving and failure to wear a seatbelt;
• Traveline/Transport Direct: through ticketing pilot schemes across Scotland and completion of projects to allow Traveline to provide fares information to passengers;
• expansion of the Rural Community Transport initiative;
• funding of School Travel coordinators posts and development of safer routes to schools project, including use of Yellow Bus schemes;
• new guidance on Blue Badge Scheme and support for Scottish Mobility Roadshows; and
• implement new training schemes under the Road Haulage Modernisation Fund to improve safe and efficient driving.

Performance

Transport Direct and Traveline Scotland will answer 3 million enquiries per annum by 2008 and deliver three integrated ticketing pilots across Scotland by 2007.

British Waterways

Output measures (historic)

• Visitor numbers to Falkirk Wheel: over 3/4 million visitors to the Wheel since it opened in 2002.
• 10% increase in visit to towpaths over last year (now 11 million per annum).
• Mooring lets up 100% on Lowland Canals.
• Number of boat licences increased from 2588 in 2000-2001 to 2920 in 2002-03.

Future measures

The increased funding for BWS will:

• Help wipe out the statutory arrears of BWS by 2012;
• Promote economic generation for two Regional Objective 2 areas;
• Generate opportunities for SMEs; and
• Provide up to 4000 job opportunities on the Lowland Canals.

OTHER CAPITAL GRANTS TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND REGIONAL TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIPS

Spending Plans 2002-08

Table 8.09 More detailed categories of spending (Level 3)

1. Tay Bridge Grant, Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive Grant and Piers and Harbours Grant were previously included within the Local Government Budget. Due to the introduction of the Capital Prudential Regime with effect from 1 April 2004, capital consent will no longer exist. Specific consent will receive actual cash grants from the Transport portfolio and not from the Local Government allocation. The budget for the Transport portfolio has subsequently been increased in 2004-05 and 2005-06 by budget transfer allocations form Local Government.
2. For 2002-03 and 2003-04 the Piers and Harbours Grant was included as part of the Revenue Support Grant and Single Allocation budgets and therefore shown below the total Transport budget. From 2004-05 this funding will be included as part of the Transport budget.
3. Funding support for SPTE for financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08 has been included with Regional Transport Capital Funding in anticipation of the proposed Regional Partnerships statutory bodies being granted Parliamentary approval in 2006.

What we will do

Support the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board in meeting the required costs of bridge maintenance, refurbishment and strengthening works at the Bridge. The Joint Board has outstanding loans, and toll income is insufficient to meet the costs of the works programme.

Support Forth Estuary Transport Authority's (FETA) programme of maintenance and refurbishment works at the Forth Road Bridge, as well as a long term programme of investment in other schemes designed to reduce congestion and improve traffic flows on and around the Bridge.

Support the development of piers and harbours owned by local authorities in the Highlands and Islands. Grant is normally available at up to 75% of eligible capital costs and helps to make sure that shore-side infrastructure supports lifeline ferry services to island and remote rural communities.

Support the Partnership Agreement commitments to introduce 20 mph speed zones around schools and safer routes to school for walking and cycling; and to support the development of Home Zones to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists in residential areas.

Support Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive's (SPTE) capital programme which invests in a range of public transport infrastructure projects to support rail, bus and ferry services in west central Scotland and the Glasgow Subway.

Support the introduction of the new statutory regional transport partnerships (RTPs) that will, subject to Parliamentary approval, be established in 2006-07, by providing capital resource for the first two years' operation. This additional funding will provide support for strategic regional and local road and public transport projects that will be identified and managed by the new statutory regional transport partnerships.

Statement of priorities

In 2005-06 we will focus our resources on:

• Support for piers and harbours grants on projects at a range of locations, likely to include Inverie, Port Askaig and Eday/Westray;
• We will enable local authorities, having regard to their knowledge of local needs and circumstances, to provide 20 mph speed limits around schools, implement safer routes to school projects and develop Home Zones; and
• We will prioritise the transport projects set out in the regional transport strategies and which support the achievement of regional and national transport objectives.

Performance

Level of road accident casualties: in 2003 fatal and serious casualties were 33% below, and child fatal and serious casualties were 49% below the average for 1994-98.

MOTORWAYS AND TRUNK ROADS

Spending Plans 2002-08

Table 8.10 More detailed categories of spending (Level 3)

1. Receipts shown include revenue from tolls on the Erskine Bridge and Rents from properties. Capital receipts applied are included for 2003-04 and 2004-05 only.
2. The Roads' Cost of Capital Charge is levied at 3.5% of the average of the opening and closing net book value of the Roads' network for the year. This charge has risen by 8.7% and 8.9% in 2002-03 and 2003-04 respectively. Bearing in mind Ministerial commitments to additional construction and maintenance on the road network during the Spending Review period it would seem prudent to allow for a 9% yearly increase in the Roads' Cost of Capital charge using the 2003-04 actual outturn as the baseline.
3. The basis for the calculation for the AME Cost of Capital was amended from 6.0% of the value of the Roads' network to 3.5%. during Spending Review 2002, therefore the figures in 2002-03 have been restated to reflect this change in HM Treasury accounting policy.

What we will do

Safeguard the structural integrity of the trunk road network and maintain its safety and serviceability.

Provide a modern, safe route from Scotland to England and Europe.

Secure value for money in the delivery of routine, cyclical and winter maintenance to maintain the safety, environment and amenity of the trunk road network.

Provide traffic data, advice on development control, maintain motorway communications and pay 3 ^rd party damage claims.

Implement improvements to the motorway and trunk road network where these can contribute to the integrated transport strategy and can be justified on the basis of full appraisal.

We will plan spending to focus on the need to maintain the network in good condition and deliver trunk road improvements to benefit safety and traffic flows.

Under our Capital Works programme we will construct new or improved sections of roads to improve efficiency and safety of the network including the M74 completion, the upper Forth Crossing (New Kincardine Bridge) and completion of the M8 along with local road schemes to improve routes across the trunk road network.

Provide funding to take forward the major road projects, in line with Partnership Agreement commitments.

Statement of Priorities

In 2005-06 we will focus our resources on:

• Meeting our contractual obligation by paying the annual service charge for the M74/M6 contract, and the M77 route between Glasgow and Kilmarnock;
• Ensuring that the contractor provides a safe operating regime for the user and maintains the asset value to the specified level;
• Securing greater efficiency and safety on the network;
• Undertake research, professional advice and auditing, and developing improved business practice;
• Provide traffic data, advise on development control, maintain communications and pay 3 ^rd party damage claims;
• To take forward to completion, in addition to other minor works, the annual programme of road improvement works;
• To improve the operation of the trunk road network and the provision of information for road travellers; and
• Proceed with the major road capital works projects, including construction of the M74 completion, the upper Forth Crossing (New Kincardine Bridge) and progress with the delivery of the major road projects, in line with Partnership Agreement commitments.

Performance

The targets as set out at the front of the chapter that related to the Motorways and trunk road network are stated below:

• Reduce the time taken to undertake trunk road journeys on congested or heavily trafficked sections of the network; and
• Improve the condition of the trunk road network over a ten year period against measurable milestones.

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